Simon Foster Named New UBM Americas CEO

U.K.-based UBM has named Simon Foster, current CEO of UBM EMEA, as CEO of UBM Americas.

Foster takes over for Sally Shankland, who stepped down a few weeks ago and has a new position with McGraw-Hill Education.

“We feel Simon is very well placed to lead the UBM Americas business,” said UBM CEO Tim Cobbold. “He has extensive experience in managing integrations and has deep knowledge of our products, key customers and people in the region, having previously had responsibility for many of these business units.”

Foster will step into his new post June 29 and his focus will be on continuing the implementation of UBM’s ‘Events First’ strategy and unification of the UBM Americas business, including Advanstar Communications’ portfolio that the company bought last year.

“The UBM Americas senior management team is extremely strong and I look forward to working with them as we continue to implement the ‘Events First’ strategy and successfully integrate UBM Advanstar,” Foster said.

Once the integration is well established, UBM will look to appoint a new leader for UBM Americas and Foster will return to his role as CEO of UBM EMEA, according to UBM officials.

Foster has more than 25 years of experience in the exhibition industry. While he is currently the CEO of UBM EMEA, he previously has led the Brazil, Canon, Connect and Mexico business units, all of which are now part of UBM Americas.

He was responsible for the highly successful integration of Canon Communications into UBM. To oversee the day to day responsibilities of the EMEA division UBM has started an internal process and expect to appoint an Acting CEO of UBM EMEA shortly.

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